Human remains believed to be those of a missing 59-year-old Gauteng businessman have been discovered inside a crocodile in the Komati River, in a grim development following an intensive search operation.
The South African Police Service (SAPS) said the discovery was made on Saturday by a multi-disciplinary team comprising the SAPS Search and Rescue Unit, NatJoints, SANParks, Emergency Medical Services, Securecon and the Port Management Committee.
Police spokesperson Mavela Masondo said DNA testing will be conducted to confirm the identity of the remains.
“Following a week-long search for the missing businessman, the team identified a crocodile in the river suspected to have carried out the attack,” Masondo said.
The businessman had been reported missing at the end of last month after his Ford Ranger was found trapped on a low-lying bridge in the Komatipoort River, which flows 800km from Mpumalanga, South Africa, through Eswatini, and into Mozambique.
Search efforts were hampered by dangerous conditions, including strong currents and a high concentration of crocodiles in the river.
Captain Pottie Potgieter of the Ehlanzeni Diving Unit said the situation posed significant risks to rescue teams.
“The search was becoming increasingly difficult due to many crocodiles moving in and out of the river where the vehicle was recovered,” he said.
He added that strong currents made it unsafe for teams to enter the water.
Aerial support, including a SANParks helicopter and drones, was also deployed during the search.
Acting Mpumalanga Provincial Police Commissioner Zeph Mkhwanazi commended the teams involved for their perseverance under hazardous conditions.
“I give honour to the dedicated team that has put their lives in danger to find the missing person. I know it was not easy, but they did not give up, even when faced with a dangerous situation,” said Mkhwanazi.
Authorities said forensic analysis will now determine whether the recovered remains belong to the missing man, while investigations into the circumstances surrounding the incident continue.
